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Qualitative Research Design
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Qualitative Research Design
An Interactive Approach

Third Edition


June 2013 | 232 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
This book gives researchers and students a user-friendly, step-by-step guide to planning qualitative research. Based on a course that the author taught for 7 years at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, it is written in an informal, jargon-free style and incorporates many examples and hands-on exercises. Rather than the rigid, linear approach to design that is usually found in research methods textbooks--and which is particularly ill suited for qualitative research--this book presents a flexible, systemic model of design. This model not only better fits what experienced qualitative researchers actually do, but provides a clear framework for designing a study and developing a research proposal. This edition includes new or substantially expanded discussions of research paradigms, defining a research problem, site and participant selection, relationships with research participants, data analysis, and validity, as well as more examples and exercises.

 
Chapter 1. A Model for Qualitative Research Design
 
Chapter 2. Goals: Why Are You Doing This Study?
 
Chapter 3. Conceptual Framework: What Do You Think Is Going On?
 
Chapter 4. Research Questions: What Do You Want to Understand?
 
Chapter 5. Methods: What Will You Actually Do?
 
Chapter 6. Validity: How Might You Be Wrong?
 
Chapter 7. Research Proposals: Presenting and Justifying a Qualitative Study
 
Appendix A. A Proposal for a Study of Medical School Teaching
 
Appendix B. A Proposal for a Study of Online Learning by Teachers

“This book uses everyday language that will captivate students’ attention and embed practical knowledge to supplement the technical.”

Gaetane Jean-Marie
University of Oklahoma

“The key strengths of the text are the passion and the enthusiasm that Dr. Maxwell has for qualitative research after all these years. I feel I can also utilize these concepts on my own research team and take them out of the classroom and into research team meetings with colleagues.”

Deborah Gioia
University of Maryland, Baltimore

“I really liked this book. I found myself taking notes and saying “yes” so many times because Maxwell captures the research process so well and provides many points worth quoting. As a faculty mentor, I particularly see the value of this book for my students who are conducting qualitative dissertations.”

Mary S. Enright
Capella University

"Maxwell provides a clear explanation regarding the nuances involved in the circular process of qualitative research design."

Tracy M. Lara
Kent State University

Useful book for students undertaking qualitative research

Mrs sharon arkell
School of Health (Walsall), Wolverhampton University
June 20, 2017

Good book for qualitative research design. Used as a secondary text.

Ms Mary Fambrough
Sch Of Organization Stds, Alliant Intl Univ-San Fran Bay
November 3, 2016

comprehensive, well written

Mr Loek Stolwijk
Faculty of Science, University of Amsterdam
March 14, 2016

This really is an excellent text which covers a vast range of qualitative research approaches - and is very readable

Dr Louise Taylor
Faculty of Health and Social Care, Chester University
August 14, 2015

Maxwell's book has been very helpful to my students to make a conceptual design for their research. They were asked to read the first 3 chapters carefully and make the Chapter 2 assignment. Some students had never thought about their qualitative research in this way. I adopted the book as reference, however I would have made it essential to the course if the price were more reasonable. I think 26 pounds would be acceptable.
Maxwell's book gives a common-sense approach to designing social research. I used it to provide a framework for integrating discourse analysis in social research.

Miss Bertie Kaal
Department of Language & Communication, Free University, Amsterdam
October 12, 2015

Although a very good book, we cover more material than the focus of this book and we would have to adopt too many texts for our students.

Professor Teresa Stuffer
Education Dept, Great Basin Clg-Elko
April 22, 2016
Key features

New to the Third Edition

  • Provides new and expanded coverage of key topics such as paradigms in qualitative research, conceptual frameworks and using theory, doing literature reviews, and writing research proposals

Key Features

  • Offers an original, innovative model of design based on a systemic rather than a linear or typological structure, well suited for designing studies and writing research proposals
  • Includes many exercises that help readers to design their study
  • Provides guidance in a clear, direct writing style, offering practical advice on research design

Sample Materials & Chapters

toc

ch 1

ch 3


For instructors

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